Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers

Study Notes

1962: Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association, later known as the United Farm Workers (UFW), with Dolores Huerta.
The UFW eagle symbol was designed by Richard Chavez, with black and red colors chosen by Cesar Chavez to represent dignity and pride.

1962: Initially, there were few union dues-paying members.
1970: UFW successfully organized grape growers, claiming 50,000 dues-paying members due to Cesar Chavez's tireless leadership and nonviolent tactics.

Cesar Chavez used nonviolent tactics, including boycotts, pickets, and strikes.
1968: Cesar Chavez went on a 25-day water-only fast to focus national attention on farm workers' problems.
1972: Cesar Chavez fasted for 24 days, and again in 1988 for 36 days, to raise awareness about farm workers' struggles and the dangers of pesticides.

April 23, 1993: Cesar Chavez died peacefully in his sleep in Yuma, Arizona, while helping UFW attorneys defend against a lawsuit brought by Bruce Church Inc.
Chavez spent his last days defending farm workers' rights, believing in their right to boycott and speak out for themselves.

April 29, 1993: Over 50,000 mourners attended Cesar Chavez's funeral, the largest funeral of any labor leader in U.S. history.
1994: Cesar Chavez was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Clinton for his contributions to the labor movement.### The Death of Cesar Chavez
Cesar Chavez died peacefully in his sleep on April 23, 1993, near Yuma, Arizona
He was in Yuma helping UFW attorneys defend the union against a lawsuit brought by Bruce Church Inc.
Chavez spent part of his last afternoon driving through Latino neighborhoods in Yuma that he knew as a child

Farm workers, family members, friends, and union staff paid their respects to Chavez
Many celebrities who had supported Chavez throughout his years of struggle attended the funeral
Chavez was laid to rest near a bed of roses, in front of his office at La Paz, the UFW's California headquarters
President Clinton awarded Chavez the Medal of Freedom posthumously on August 8, 1994

Chavez was a "special prophet for the worlds' farm workers" (Cardinal Roger M. Mahoney)
He fought for farm workers' rights through nonviolent protest and collective bargaining
Chavez's contributions would be eroded, but his legacy would never be forgotten

Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW)
Dolores Huerta joined him, and the union was born
Richard Chavez designed the UFW Eagle, and Cesar chose the black and red colors
The eagle symbolized pride and dignity for farm workers

Chavez used nonviolent tactics, including boycotts, pickets, and strikes, to fight for farm workers' rights
He fasted many times, including a 25-day fast in 1968, a 24-day fast in 1972, and a 36-day fast in 1988
Chavez believed in the power of nonviolence and was willing to sacrifice his life for the cause